Matariki ???????? written by Melanie Drewery

‘Tonight we have to go to bed really early,’ said Mum. 'Tomorrow morning we are going to have a surprise.' But what event would be so special to get you up in the middle of a cold New Zealand winter? The star cluster Matariki is rising and the Māori New Year is on its way! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A story in which a family celebrate Matariki and talk about what it means to different people.

This story is for children ages 3+

Written by Melanie Drewery and published by Penguin Group (NZ) in 2003.

Waldo is a helicopter pilot who loves to help out. He has all sorts of amazing adventures! In this story Waldo is called upon to help a trapped zoo truck taking a giraffe to see the beach for his very first time. Gerald the giraffe is disappointed he won’t get to visit the beach as planned, but when Waldo offers to take him for a helicopter ride instead things start to look up! ????????

A big thank you to Kenton, who requested this story last year. It has taken a little while to write, but I LOVE it and I really hope you do too xo - Jess

Wilhelm lives at the base of the largest mountain in the land. When the sun is shining, he likes to play and go to school, or visit his papa who works up in the mines in the mountain. But! As soon as the sun starts to cast shadows across the land, Wilhelm and all the other people who live in his village must hurry back into their homes. If you get caught outside in the dark, you might fall prey to the stone goblins! When these little rock monsters attack the princess, putting her into a deep sleep, only Wilhelm can save her. Will he brave the mountain in the dark? ⛰️

This week we invite guest narrator Angela Ferrari from Story Spectacular to bring us a story. ????

Lizzie the lizard wants to be a flying lizard and discover new places, when she grows up. But her parents tell her lizards can’t fly and that she should be a fruit gatherer just like them. Lizzie isn’t ready to accept that. “I am going to become the first flying lizard! Just you wait and see!" she tells them.

As it turns out, Lizzie might just get her wish after all, thanks to an unexpected meeting with the Lizard Wizard. But has she really thought this through? Being able to fly would make her different from all the other lizards and it can be hard fitting in when you’re not like the others.

Lizzie’s new wings are set to take her on an unforgettable adventure. How will it all turn out?!

Alec finds a new stream. Instead of fish, though, this stream contains words and ideas, which Alec tries to catch. Meant to be read aloud, this visual story is a whimsical addition to the world of Alec and other "Stuart" stories.

It’s Ruby’s turn to be the snack captain for her soccer team, and she takes her duties seriously. So, when she proudly opens the lid of the snack container to her teammates, only to see them back away in disgust, she is shocked! ????

Who is responsible for this half-time disaster? Ruby thinks she’s knows, and she is ready to give him a piece of her mind!

A fun and lighthearted short story, highlighting the joy that can come from finding humour in our mistakes. ⚽️????

This story is suitable for children aged 5-12.

EJ Schonauer is actually a writing team made up of identical twins Erin K. Schonauer and Jamie C. Schonauer. Isn’t that cool?!

Find out more about this talented duo and their writing over at: http://www.twinpens.com

‘Tonight we have to go to bed really early,’ said Mum. 'Tomorrow morning we are going to have a surprise.' But what event would be so special to get you up in the middle of a cold New Zealand winter? The star cluster Matariki is rising and the Māori New Year is on its way! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A story in which a family celebrate Matariki and talk about what it means to different people.

This story is for children ages 3+

Written by Melanie Drewery and published by Penguin Group (NZ) in 2003.

Luke lives in apartment 305 with his mum, his dad, and his new baby sister. One day, they start hearing loud noises coming from the upstairs apartment. These noises become a problem, as they keep waking up his baby sister. Luke decides he needs to do something about it, but he could never have guessed who, or what, he would find in apartment 405. ????

This story is appropriate for children aged 4 - 10.

This story was inspired by Rob, the creator of Bedtime FM, and his difficulty recording a story thanks to some noisy people upstairs.

A narrative poem about a cat whose life is turned upside down after her favorite human goes away. Choosing not to remain alone in her room upstairs, she bravely faces her fears and discovers an exciting new world. ????????????

The last few holidays had been much too exciting, Buffy wanted to spend this Easter somewhere quieter where he couldn’t get into any trouble. Easter Island sounded like the perfect place to celebrate Easter. Surely he couldn’t get into any trouble on an island dedicated to Easter….could he? ????????

The big contest, “Hero of the Mountain” is tomorrow. The small fox Bubu wants to see it at any cost but on the way he meets so many animals in trouble.Will Bubu arrive on time for the contest and what it really takes to be a true hero?⛰️????

Ra the Flamingo lives a quiet, peaceful life with her family. They spend their time quietly splashing around, until one day Ra discovers a rainbow lake nearby. How will this lake effect their lives? Have a listen and see!

???? Once Upon A Time, there was a town that had, in its best-loved spot, a large, long, scaly rock that looked amazingly similar to a sleeping dragon. Along with this dragon-shaped rock came a tale: ‘In times of trouble, the dragon will wake, and free the village, by making a lake’.

Well, trouble did come to that town, in the form of one very, very hot and dry summer. The townsfolk were desperate for rain, but it just did not come.Would the tale about the dragon prove to be true? Would it wake and save them from this drought, or was it just a made-up story? Listen to this exciting short story by Ellena Ashley to find out!????

Buffy Bunny is back and this time there's been a big Christmas mix-up. Buffy accidentally sets Christmas on a slippery slope, one that means his friends may not get the presents they wanted for Christmas, that is if they get any presents at all! Will Buffy be able to help Santa? You'll have to listen and find out.

Happy holidays everyone! Thank you for listening to Story Time this year, we so appreciate your support. Enjoy your holidays and we will see you in the New Year. ????????????????

Do you remember Billy the Bathtub? The special bathtub who can move his feet and likes to play with his friends in the park?

Do you remember that Billy lives in a big old house in Winnipeg, Canada? Now, Winnipeg isn't too far from the North Pole (as sleighs and reindeer fly), and we all know who lives at the North Pole, don't we?

Would you like to hear about the time Billy the Bathtub helped Santa? You would?!? Then this story is for you!

Miranda was an inside cat and didn't get to do many of the outside things that cats like to do. Christmas time, however, was special because it was the only time she got to be around a real tree in the house. The Christmas in this story turned out to be extra special when a surprise visitor hid in the tree!

Bill has a terrible, unbearable, lousy beak-ache. He also happens to be a bowerbird????: a type of bird that collects scraps to create elaborate colour-sorted nests. Bill turns to his friends; zebra, frog????, yak, and others for objects that might help alleviate his ache. Will they be able to help him? If not, what will?

This fun, wacky story is told in playful cadence with rhyme and refrain. A riot of a tale, it also offers some wisdom on getting through tough times with patience, and a little help from your friends.